Screening for Colorectal Cancer is Critical, Especially for People at High Risk

March is national colorectal cancer awareness month, and doctors at Piedmont Newnan Hospital hope to educate people in the community about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings, especially for individuals at high risk.

“Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S.,” Ibrahim Adamu, M.D., general and colorectal surgeon at Piedmont Newnan, said. “A colonoscopy is the best screening test available for colorectal cancer, and many of these cancers can be prevented through regular screenings.”

Most people should get their first colon cancer screening, a colonoscopy, at age 45. The American Cancer Society updated its screening guidelines in May 2018, lowering the recommended screening age from 50 to 45.

“African American men and women are considered high risk for this type of cancer, with a 20 percent higher rate of developing colon cancer, and a 45 percent higher mortality rate,” Dr. Adamu said.

In 2016, there were an estimated 17,000 new colon and rectal cancer diagnoses in African American men and women. Yet, the disease is preventable with proper screenings. Colonoscopy screenings are the number one way to detect disease or find polyps before they become cancerous.

“Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, but symptoms to look for are a change in bowel habits, unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite,” said Adamu. A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows for examination of the inside of the colon, helping doctors to identify precancerous polyps, which are abnormal growths in the colon or rectum. Any polyps or abnormal tissues found during a colonoscopy can be removed and sent to a laboratory for testing.

“Early stages of colorectal cancer usually present no symptoms,” Dr. Adamu said. “This is why screening is crucial because when found early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable.”

Both men and women should have a colonoscopy starting at age 45, however, people at an increased risk may start earlier. It is recommended to get tested every 10 years after that, unless there is a higher risk of colon cancer or someone has previously had cancer.

“Anyone with an immediate family member with a history of colon cancer, such as a parent or sibling, should be tested 10 years earlier than the recommended age of 45,” said Adamu. “Anyone with a genetic disposition or genetic disease should also be tested earlier.”

Risk factors for colorectal cancer include personal or family history of colorectal polyps or cancer, history of inflammatory bowel disease, racial and ethnic background, obesity, and smoking.

For more information on colon cancer and preventative screenings, visit piedmont.org

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